Political fans might have their eyes on Florida, where voting occurs Tuesday in the Republican presidential primary. But right here at home, it's time to pay attention to some of the most important elections in which voters have a say.

Santa Fe is in the middle of its municipal elections cycle, with four seats on the council at stake, as well as a municipal bond package totaling $22.8 million. Projects include fixing trails, constructing a regional park in southwestern Santa Fe, completing the police station, building a new fire station, creating a photovoltaic system at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center and improving watershed management to recharge the aquifer. (The city estimates that taxes on a $300,000 home would increase by $54 a year if the bonds are approved.) Municipal Judge Ann Yalman also is on the ballot this election, but she faces no opponent.

Voting in this important election starts Tuesday for voters who want to request an absentee ballot or who desire to vote absentee in person. Then, on Feb. 15, a Wednesday, early voting begins. What's the difference between in-person absentee and early voting? Both, after all, take place at the City Clerk's Office (Room 215) downtown, corner of Lincoln and Marcy streets, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on business days. Absentee ballots are locked up, while the early voting ballots are fed into a vote-tabulating machine, both to be counted on March 6, the official election day.

People not registered to vote still have time to take care of that oversight. Registration for this city election will close Feb. 7, so you have a week to become eligible. Stop by the Santa Fe County Clerk's Office, 102 Grant Ave., and register in person.

While elections are on your mind, don't forget that on Feb. 7, Santa Fe Public Schools is holding its mill-levy election, as it does every six years, to raise money for student technology needs and maintaining the physical condition of schools. The levy would generate some $12.7 million a year to support all public schools, including charters. We will write in more detail this Sunday about the election and why this money is so crucial for students. Until then, make a note on your calendar to get out and vote next week. Polls will be open from
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Best of all, in these difficult economic times, the mill levy will not raise property taxes.

National elections are exciting, with great debates and attack ads and plenty of pundit pontificating. But close to home are the elections that matter. Starting with the school mill-levy vote, moving on to municipal elections in March and, come June, primary elections for county and statewide offices, we have a full political season in 2012 -- ending, of course, with the November general election.

Get informed, become involved and make a difference by casting your ballot. Voting is one of our most cherished rights as citizens, and seldom does it matter as much as right here at home.